Module 7.1 - Learning objectives
- Be familiar with the chemical inventory system and user responsibilities
Module 7.2 - Vertére
The University of Ottawa uses the Vertére inventory management system to keep track of its chemical inventory. Vertére is a web-based system that allows:
- Laboratory users to search for chemical products in order to run trial experiments
- Laboratory users to manage their chemical inventories so they know what they have and where it is located
- The University to keep track of larger health and safety issues and regulations that affect the University community
Materials coming into the University, such as through the Faculty of Science Store or Faculty of Medicine Shipping and Receiving, are barcoded with a label similar to the example below.
Laboratory principal investigators and supervisors using Vertére are responsible for their inventory and ensuring that it remains accurate and properly managed, including when being transferred to another person or disposed of.
General tips for your inventory of hazardous materials:
- Ensure that purchases of hazardous materials follow approved procurement processes.
- Ensure that all containers of hazardous materials under your responsibility are properly accounted for in the inventory.
- Only keep on hand those products that you require and have room to store safely and securely.
- Regularly dispose (through approved means) of surplus or expired materials.
- Ensure users understand the hazards presented by the material.
- Date when hazardous materials are acquired and opened for the first time.
- Keep the workplace neat and organized.
In order to be granted access to Vertére, please check with your supervisor or other members of your lab group, as they may be able to assign access. Should you not be able to get access from your lab group, please contact the health, safety and risk manager for your faculty. Access is available on campus or through VPN.
See the Vertére chemical inventory system user manual (PDF, 1MB).